Spring 2020

RUPCO wants to make sure that tenants and landlords have the most up to date information related to COVID-19. There are several resources available that offer daily updates on COVID-19. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease spread between people who are in close contact with one another. Apartment buildings and other shared living spaces pose the increased potential risk of persons spreading the virus. Tenants and Landlords can start preparing for the virus by being proactive with preventative steps and with communication while working as a team.

TENANTS:

Know your rights during the COVID-19 crisis:

Landlords cannot participate in “rent gouging,” by increasing rent in order to capitalize on the crisis.

If you have a current lease, your landlord cannot increase your rent until it expires. If you are rent stabilized or rent controlled, the landlord is limited in the amounts it can increase your rent (currently 1.5 percent for a 1 year renewal and 2.5 percent for a 2 year renewal).

For market rate tenants whose lease is expiring or are month-to-month tenants, your landlord must provide you with advance written notice of any rent increases above 5 percent.

90 days written advance notice if you have lived in your apartment two years or more, or if you have a two-year lease;

60 days written advance notice if you have lived in your apartment for more than one year, but less than two years;

30 days advance written notice if you have lived in your apartment for less than one year, or have a lease for less than one years.

Even if you are given proper advance notice of the rent increase, your landlord cannot charge you the increase in rent unless you accept it by signing a lease, paying the increase, or take another affirmative step.

If you refuse to pay the increase, the landlord must go to court to evict you. However, your landlord cannot bring you to court because there is currently a moratorium on both new cases and evictions.

A landlord’s failure to provide essential services such as hot water or electricity is a breach of the warranty of habitability.

If your landlord has failed to provide essential services to you, you can call your local Code Enforcement office to complain about a loss of essential services such as heat and hot water or other bad conditions. The deliberate disruption or discontinuance of essential services may also constitute harassment as described above.

New York state anti-harassment laws make it illegal for landlords to engage in any action that is intended to force tenants to leave their homes or otherwise give up their rights under law.

Landlords are prohibited from interfering with tenants’ privacy, comfort, and quiet enjoyment of their homes. It is a Class A Misdemeanor for a landlord to threaten a tenant, change a tenant’s locks, or otherwise try to force a tenant from her apartment without a court order, whether that tenant is paying rent or not.

Landlords are also prohibited from engaging in disruptive construction or renovation projects in your building that interfere with your health, safety, and use of your apartment. These actions could be considered harassment.

Landlords cannot discriminate against or evict a tenant because the tenant, or someone the tenant lives with, has contracted or had COVID-19, or the landlord thinks that the tenant has or had COVID-19.

If you are elderly or have a physical, mental, or medical impairment, which may include a COVID-19 related illness, you are protected from housing discrimination under the federal, state, and city laws, including the New York State Human Rights Law.

Landlords also cannot discriminate against a tenant or treat a tenant differently or unfairly because of their immigration status or because the tenant is from, or looks like the tenant is from, a country where there is a serious COVID-19 outbreak.

Landlords cannot refuse to protect a tenant if the tenant is being harassed by other tenants because the tenant is from, or looks like the tenant is from, a country where there is a serious COVID-19 outbreak.

Posting a notice that someone has an illness would be considered discrimination unless it is necessary to protect the health of others. Generally, there is no need to identify a person who has contracted the coronavirus. Instead, a landlord can post a notice stating that someone within the building has contracted the coronavirus without identifying the person who got ill.

If you have questions or believe you have been a victim of harassment or discrimination of this kind, contact the OAG Civil Rights Bureau by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-771-7755.

If a New York State Sheriff attempts to evict you, you should contact the Sheriff’s office and then your local County office’s general number to report a violation of the Governor’s Executive Order.

If a Landlord locks you out or tries to evict you, also known as “self-help evictions,” which are unlawful in New York State, you should call 911 and show the police officer identification, lease, or public utility bill with your name and address.

+Emergency Help in Ulster County

Ulster County has announced Project Resilience, a community fund and local food distribution effort to support residents impacted by COVID-19. The County has secured over $2 million in funding, and will utilize UCAT and partner with non-profits and municipalities to deliver meals to local distribution centers. This new initiative will help residents in need and simultaneously provide support to small businesses. Ulster County is partnering with United Way and many other area organizations and businesses to mobilize food and services. https://ulstercountyny.gov/projectresilience.

+Food Resources

Kingston Food Security Hotline

For those within the Kingston City School District call (888) 316-0879 at any time to receive meals and groceries.

Kingston School District Meals

KCSD will provide families with free to-go breakfast and lunches Monday-Friday from 11am-1pm. They will be distributing these meals at John F. Kennedy Elementary School and J. Watson Bailey Middle School. Students who attend any KCSD school are welcome to stop by either of these two locations for breakfast and lunch items. You may walk or use the drive-through curb side service.

KCSD Food Distribution Sites are being expanded again! To better serve the extended community, they will be offering the breakfast & lunch Go-Bags at the following locations and times:

Mondays – Fridays from 10:00am – 10:45am at:

J. Watson Bailey Middle School

John F. Kennedy Elementary School

George Washington Elementary School

Mondays – Fridays from 11:15am – 12:00pm at:

Meagher Administrative Building

Sawkill Manufactured Trailer Park (Sawkill Rd.)

Corner of Downs St. & Bruyn Ave. in Kingston

Mondays – Fridays from 12:30pm – 1:15pm at:

Robert Graves Elementary School

M. C. Miller Middle School

Stuyvesant Charter Apartments

*If you cannot make it to a food pick-up distribution location, please call the KCSD Food Hotline: 845-943-3938

Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative

888-316-0879

Prepared, microwave-ready meals are available for pick-up and delivery on weekdays for lunch and dinner. Call the Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative hotline for information about delivery and where to pick-up.

Prepared, microwave-ready meals are available for pick-up and delivery on weekdays for lunch and dinner. Call or text the Family of Woodstock 24/7 hotline for information about delivery and where to pick-up: (845) 679-2485

People’s Place

For those in need of food support on the weekdays, People’s Place is offering the following services:

The Community Cafe will be open from 8:30 am to 1 pm offering take out Continental breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.

The Food Pantry will operate in a modified version at regular hours (10 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday and Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)

The Bag Student Hunger Program which offers breakfast, lunch and snack items for school age children will begin on Monday, March 16 and run until school resumes. Distribution will follow the food pantry hours.

For more information please call 845-338-4030 or visit the People’s Place Facebook Page.

The Table at Woodstock is offering meal and grocery pickup for Onteora School District residents in front of the Woodstock Reform Church on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 4-6 pm (or until they run out). Seniors and individuals in self-quarantine qualify for meal delivery. Those in need can contact [email protected] or message through Facebook.

Town of Woodstock residents are encouraged to register via the Town Supervisor’s Office for delivery, grocery boxes, and check-in calls. Volunteers and donations of funds or Hannaford gift cards are needed.

+Greene County

+Orange County

LODGER At 188 Liberty Street in Newburgh is preparing and distributing 200 school-lunch-replacement meals for free Mondays through Wednesdays, from 10am to 1pm. Their staff are driving deliveries, and their efforts are being supported through donations from neighbors and local businesses.

+HVNY List of Farmers Markets and Food Pantries

+USDA Federal Resource Guide:

+Farmers and Ranchers USDA’s COVID-19 Food Assistance Program

Agricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The application and a payment calculator are now available online, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff members are available via phone, fax and online tools to help producers complete applications. The agency set up a call center in order to simplify how they serve new customers across the nation.

Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020. Through CFAP, USDA is making available $16 billion for vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities.

Producers can download the CFAP application and other eligibility forms from farmers.gov/cfap.

Headspace Meditation + Mindfullness Resources Free for NYers

Hudson Valley Vets Peer Support Hotline

Veterans and Families of, a Peer-Support Hotline along with video conferencing is offered to meet needs during this difficult time. These peer support specialists have been in the military and understand the rigors of the military and military family life. Peer-Support Specialists aim to provide a “first contact resolution” by ensuring that your needs are addressed.

877.494.5199

+Ulster County COVID-19 Social Services Resources

The county’s webpage includes information on the Emergency HEAP Benefit. Questions regarding the HEAP program and other Social Services can be directed to the Ulster County Department of Social Services at 845-334-5436.

+New York State and National Domestic Violence Hotline numbers are:

New York State Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline (English & español/Multi-language accessibility): 1-800-942-6906 or 711 for Deaf or Hard of Hearing

+Ulster County Crime Victims 24/7 Assistance Hotline

+Groceries/Pharmacies with Senior Shopping Hours, Delivery and Pickup

To assist all Seniors and those otherwise vulnerable, the Jewish Federation of Ulster County has compiled a comprehensive document of Please note that these hours and services are fluid and may change as the stores respond and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic:

+Childcare for Essential Workers

Emergency Childcare Service for Essential Workers: The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County provides childcare for first responders, emergency personnel and essential workers who do not have the option to work from home. Childcare locations:

+COVID-19 Scam Alerts:

+Price Gouging Reporting

New Yorkers are urged to call 1-800-697-1220 or complete the consumer complaint form to report unfair price increases of products such as household cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer amid the COVID-19 outbreak. File a Complaint.

+Immigration Services Portal

+Resources for Tenants and Landlords

+The COVID-19 Tenant Protection Unit of Ulster County

.The COVID-19 Tenant Protection Unit, staffed by members of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office, will assure that tenants’ rights are being protected through Governor Andrew Cuomo “New York on Pause” order, which put all commercial or residential eviction under a 90-day moratorium.

+Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) COVID-19 Helpful Links and FAQs

+Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program

+Parks and Recreation

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice social distancing, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. [Visit Website]

Kaaterskill Falls: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the temporary closure of Kaaterskill Falls, the viewing platform, and connecting trails beginning Monday, April 6. The Kaaterskill Wild Forest will remain open to the public. The closure of the Kaaterskill Falls site is part of DEC’s statewide efforts to reduce the community spread of COVID-19 by encouraging New Yorkers to safely and responsibly recreate locally.

This Learning Lunch is geared towards the care industry that supports the caregiver. During this presentation attendees will learn up to date information on communicating how to better identify the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as Alzheimer’s disease stages and risk factors. You will learn strategies for helping the caregiver, and first line personnel in decoding messages through non-verbal communication to connect and communicate in more meaningful ways at each stage of the disease. Through open discussion and a case example, this Learning Lunch will also teach you to identify common triggers for behaviors associated with dementia and learn strategies for addressing them.

Tara joined the Alzheimer’s Association in June 2019 as a care consultant serving Dutchess and Ulster counties. Tara DeLuca is a licensed creative arts therapist with more than 10 years of experience working with a variety of populations. Her work has included individual patient/family consultation, managing an art volunteer program and community-engagement events with a broad and positive impact. Tara is honored to serve the community in her role as director of client assistance, educating the public and creating individual plans for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

The RUPCO Learning Lunch series allows guests to enjoy free presentations on a range of historical and cultural topics. Admission to our Learning Lunch series is FREE. Bring your lunch and enjoy complimentary beverages. Each program begins at noon unless noted.

Our Learning Lunch series affords you the most consistent opportunity to remove yourself from a busy work week, and learn something new about the community we all call home.

Due to the recent Corona Virus spread, RUPCO has the following announcement on gatherings at our Learning Lunches as follows:

If you or know of a co-worker who is coming to one of our Learning Lunches and is exhibiting flu like symptoms – you/they are asked to not attend.

RUPCO reserves the right to refuse access to anyone who presents with malaise and to have flu like symptoms.

We want to keep these learning lunches healthy and enjoyable for all and thank you and ask you for your anticipated courtesy and cooperation.

Combating the Opioid Crisis in Ulster County

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa has charted a bold course to battle opioid crisis. Join us as he discusses:

How Law enforcement provides outreach and intervention to addicts and families.

The MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) program at the Ulster County jail.

How the sheriff’s office is partnering with other county agencies and community agencies to combat this crisis.

Juan Figueroa has always been moved by a sense of service to people in his community and country. Juan joined the US Marine Corps straight out of Wallkill Senior high school. Stationed in Japan, South Korea, Camp Lejeune NC, he took back with him important lessons in life: the importance of racial diversity and respect, regardless of personal differences.

After active duty with the Marines for four years, Juan served 18 years with the Marine Corps Reserve. During that time, as Chief Warrant Officer, he held primary responsibilities in Operations, aviation logistics support, budget, training, deployment, and base facilities abroad. In the early 1990s he deployed and was in charge of deploying over 150 Marines and support requirements during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Juan became a trooper with the New York State Police in 1988, patrolling roads in Ulster County. During his 25-year career with the State Police, he assumed key leadership roles initially as a Police Academy Instructor and Field Training Officer, then as an Investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for 19 years. Juan worked on several long term investigations involving Money Laundering / narcotics and drug cartels. Investigations during his term resulted in the seizure of over $60 million in cash, 400+ kilos of drugs, and the arrest of key figures in the drug trade. Juan also was part of investigations relating to organized crime, economic crime, corruption, racketeering, extortion, identity and vehicle theft. With a distinguished career as a veteran and five years in the corporate arena, Juan brings a broad perspective to law enforcement. He believes in upholding the law while working with the community and applying proactive, innovative, and sensible approaches to the county’s most pressing issues, such as the opioid epidemic. Juan represents a brand of leadership that values fairness, compassion, respect, and the highest standards of professionalism at all levels. After many years of public service, he remains bound by an unwavering sense of duty and deep commitment to the community.

Sheriff Figueroa was elected in November of 2018. He is the first Puerto Rican American to be elected Sheriff in the State of New York.

Come be part of one of a kind opportunity rising in Midtown Kingston!

Property Overview

• Spaces may be leased separately or combined as 1,752 SF

• Located one block off Broadway, on Cedar, corner of Iwo Jima

• Next to the Center for Creative Education (CCE)

• Affordable commercial rates – 12 PSF modified gross

Project Overview

The first floor of this five-story building features 11,000 square feet of civic/ commercial space. Set to open in Spring of 2020, the local nonprofit Center for Creative Education (CCE) will provide comprehensive community-based art and job training programs for young adults ages 18 to 25. The upper floors will house 57 mixed-income apartments owned and managed by RUPCO, a trusted community partner with a proven track record for delivering high-quality affordable housing in the Hudson Valley.

Energy Square’s innovative design features new construction with a “Net Zero for Living” standard. RUPCO will equip the building with enough solar capacity to generate and meet electrical usage of all residential and common area use.

The RUPCO Learning Lunch series allows guests to enjoy free presentations on a range of historical and cultural topics. Admission to our Learning Lunch series is FREE. Bring your lunch and enjoy complimentary beverages. Each program begins at noon unless noted.

Our Learning Lunch series affords you the most consistent opportunity to remove yourself from a busy work week, and learn something new about the community we all call home.

Due to the recent Corona Virus spread, RUPCO has the following announcement on gatherings at our Learning Lunches as follows:

If you or know of a co-worker who is coming to one of our Learning Lunches and is exhibiting flu like symptoms – you/they are asked to not attend.

RUPCO reserves the right to refuse access to anyone who presents with malaise and to have flu like symptoms.

We want to keep these learning lunches healthy and enjoyable for all and thank you and ask you for your anticipated courtesy and cooperation.

Learning Lunch Series Presents: In their Own Voice, Hudson Valley Women Artists, A collection of short films.

In honor of Women’s History Month, filmmaker and historian Stephen Blauweiss will present a sampling from his collection of short films featuring past and present female artists and artisans from around the Hudson Valley. The films showcase a wide variety of styles, disciplines, and mediums, including metal-smithing, indoor & outdoor installations, children’s book illustration, painting, photography, glass work and silk-screening.

Thursday March 19th at noon

The RUPCO Learning Lunch series allows guests to enjoy free presentations on a range of historical and cultural topics. Admission to our Learning Lunch series is FREE. Bring your lunch and enjoy complimentary beverages. Each program begins at noon unless noted.

Our Learning Lunch series affords you the most consistent opportunity to remove yourself from a busy work week, and learn something new about the community we all call home.

Learning Lunch Series Presents:

What’s your Vision? with Bryant “Drew” Andrews, Co-founder + Executive Director of the Center for Creative Education and creator and CEO of DXF® – Dance Xross Fitness®. Come and hear Drew discuss how to commit to living your life! Drew will share his life experiences, thoughts on personal enrichment and cultural awareness, along with how he’s transformed his passion into successful strategies as well as how to use his key attributes to becoming the person you envision.

The RUPCO Learning Lunch series allows guests to enjoy free presentations on a range of historical and cultural topics. Admission to our Learning Lunch series is FREE. Bring your lunch and enjoy complimentary beverages. Each program begins at noon unless noted.

Our Learning Lunch series affords you the most consistent opportunity to remove yourself from a busy work week, and learn something new about the community we all call home.

Due to the recent Corona Virus spread, RUPCO has the following announcement on gatherings at our Learning Lunches as follows:

If you or know of a co-worker who is coming to one of our Learning Lunches and is exhibiting flu like symptoms – you/they are asked to not attend.

RUPCO reserves the right to refuse access to anyone who presents with malaise and to have flu like symptoms.

We want to keep these learning lunches healthy and enjoyable for all and thank you and ask you for your anticipated courtesy and cooperation.

Learning Lunch Series Presents: A Screening of Housing: A Human Right. A collaborative film between Rise Up Kingston and Survival Media Agency that amplifies the stories of two Rise Up Members, Yolanda Knox and Freedom Walker Dickerson. Their stories are emblematic of the struggle of black, brown, and low-income people to secure stable and healthy housing. The film debuted at the 2019 O+ Festival, and was sponsored by RUPCO, Radio Kingston, and Hudsy.

Tuesday March 10th at noon

Callie Jayne’s desire to fight for justice began in 8th grade protesting against inequitable dress code policies. Callie’s career started off in sales, bouncing from job-to-job, and struggling to make ends meet. When deciding to go back to college, she transitioned to the post-secondary education field – wanting to focus on helping women prioritize their education, and moving forward in their careers. It was then, that she found herself in a situation like so many before her – a single mother, trying to survive within structures that were created to make sure she failed.

Callie finished her undergraduate degree in business, and then went on to complete her Masters’ in Nonprofit Management. For her internship, she began working at a human services organization, which later hired her full time. She built and expanded the volunteer base and pantry hours which increased the number of families who were able to access food. She increased the individual giving, community and business engagement which lowered operational costs. Though providing emergency services was helping hundreds of families every week, it was doing nothing to change the systems of oppression that are set in place.

Her life, work and educational experiences led her to discover the institutionalized issues that were preventing her and many others from all walks of life from achieving a quality standard of living. Her desire for change comes from the belief that all people deserve a basic standard of living, and if we could all come together and hear many differing perspectives, that we can use our struggles to achieve collective greatness.